Jar lifting device



c. E; NElLS JAR LIFTING DEVICE Filed June 12, 1944 l- Ill llll INVENTOR aim/245s E. NEILS WW1 W H IS ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 2, 1946 JAR LIF'IING DEVICE Charles E. Neils, Larkspur, Calif assignor of one-tenth to John R. Flor, Larkspur, Calif.

Application June 12,1944, Serial No. 539,841

2 Claims.

My invention relates to jar lifting devices and particularly to an implement for engaging a jar top for lifting the jar from a cooker.

It is among the objects of my invention to provide a jar lifter which may be efficiently operated from a point spaced well above the top of a jar for engaging and firmly gripping the top of the jar, whereby the jar may be lifted upwardly without exposing the hand of the operator to excessive heat.

Another object is to provide a lifting device which may be operated to engage and disengage a jar within narrow confines, and from a point in substantial axial alignment with the jar.

My invention possesses other objects and features of value, some of which with the foregoing will be set forth in the following description of the invention. It is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the showing made by the said description and the drawing as I may adopt variant forms of the invention within the scope of the appended claims.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of the jar lifting device of my invention; and

Figure 2 is a plan view of the device as shown in Figure 1.

In terms of broad inclusion, the jar lifting device of my invention comprises an open wire loop having extensions projecting laterally from the ends of the loop in converging relation at substantially right angles to the plane of the loop. A follower is actuated along the converging extensions by means of a rod for varying the size of the loop to engage and disengage the tops of jars. The extensions and rod are of a length sufficient to permit the loop to engage the top of a jar submerged in boiling water while the hand of the operator is spaced well above the water level. Finger grips are provided upon the upper ends of the extensions and rods to facilitate the manipulation of the device.

In terms of greater detail, the device of my invention comprises a oontractible loop I of a size and shape suitable for fitting around the top of a fruit jar immediately below the ordinary cover or cover seating shoulder of the jar. The loop I is preferably formed at the center of a strand of relatively stiff resilient wire, the end portions of which are bent, as at 2, to form lateral extensions 3 disposed in converging relation within a plane substantially normal to the plane of the loop I. The bends 2 at the ends of the loop I are spaced sufficiently to permit a desired degree of contraction as the ends are moved together.

At the upper ends of the extensions 3, the wire is bent to form finger grips ll, preferably in the form of loops into each of which an operator may insert a finger. In forming the loops 4, the wire is, bent outwardly and downwardly in substantially the plane of the extensions 3. The extreme end of one or both end portions of the wire is carried across one of the extensions 3, and shaped to provide a guide 6, between the extensions 3. Preferably the ends of the strand are joined to the extensions 3 and/or to each other in any desired manner, as by solder, spot welding, or other suitable means.

A follower is mounted for sliding movement along the extensions 3. The follower 1 preferably comprises a short length of wire having its ends bent to form loops 8 loosely engaging the extensions. The loops 8 have their centers spaced apart a distance substantially equal to the spacing of the extensions 3 at their upper ends.

The follower l is actuated by means of a rod .9 slidably movable through the guide loop 6, and connected to the follower. Preferably the rod is flexibly secured .to the follower l by a loop Ill, loosely engaging the follower between I the loops 8, for permitting a limited degree of relative sliding and pivotal movement. The flexible connection of rod 9 and follower 1 permits the follower to readily accommodate itself for movement along the extensions 3 without binding.

A loop H, or other suitable gripping means, is provided at the upper end of the rod 9, to facilitate the operating of the rod to move the follower I to a desired position along the extensions 3.

The device may be conveniently operated by inserting two fingers of one hand through the loops 4, and the thumb of the same hand through the loop H, and raising the rod 9 and follower I to a point near the upper ends of the extensions 3. As the follower is raised, the spring resilience of the wire causes the loop I to ex- Dand and the lower ends of the extensions 3 to be correspondingly moved apart. The loop I is then lowered over the top of a jar, and moved into engagement with the lower edge of the cover, or the shoulder against which it seats. The rod 9 is then pressed downwardly by pressure applied through the grip I l by the thumb, thereby moving the follower l downwardly along the extensions 3. The loops 8 at the ends of the follower cause the lower ends of the extensions to be moved progressively nearer together, and the loop I to be progressively contracted, until firm gripping engagement with the jar is effected. A light pressure by the thumb on the loop I I serves to maintain a firm grip on the jar while it is lifted and moved to a desired position. The rod 9 is then moved upwardly; and, as the follower I is raised, the loop I expands and releases the Jar.

The lifter is readily manipulated in a narrow I space 'by one hand from a'point directly above the jar to be lifted; and at a distance sufilcient to avoid exposure of the hand toexcessive heat when placing jars in or removing them from a cooker.

I claim:

1. A jar lifting device comprising an. open vloop, laterally disposed converging extensions upon the ends of the loop; a follower slidable along the extensions for varying the size of the.

15 sions, and an actuator connected to the follower and slidable vthrough the guide.

' CHARLES E. NEZILS. 

